Attachable handle for steering wheels



Dec. l, 1931. M. H. sHlPLEY 1,834,537

Y ATTACHABLE HANDLE FOR STEERING WHEELS Filed Feb. 1s, 1929 iec. l',1931 lV'At-TLY H. SHIPLEY, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS ATTACHABLE- IANDLEFOB.- STEER-ING WHEELS Application filed February 16, 1929. Serial No.340,483.

This invention relates to an attachable handle for automobile steeringwheels, designed to facilitate 'the turning of the wheel and alsominimize fatigue in the holding of the wheel in driving.

Various forms of handles or knobs have been proposed for attachment tosteering wheels but it appears that none of these has proved practical.They were evidently awkward and unhandy to use, presented a poorappearance, such that owners of the better class of cars would not careto adopt them, and were not easy to attach or remove, or adjust theposition thereof. Some of these handles were, moreover, bound to getloose in time, which, of course, made them unsatisfactory, and theapplication of many ofthem necessitated marring of the steering wheel,which, of course, was objectionable particularly if they Were ever to beremoved. However, one of the principal drawbacks to these other handles,it appears, was that no one size would fit all sizes and shapes ofsteering wheels. Another important drawback was that none of them madeproper provision for the resting of the hands.

It is, therefore, the principal object of my invention to providehandles for the purpose referred to which are quickly attachable anddetachable, or adjustable in position, which lit all sizes and shapes ofsteering wheels with equalfacility and which, when properly fastened inplace, positively will not get loose. These handles are, moreover,designed to afford ample hand rests on the-bases thereof and, as willpresently appear, not only present a pleasing appearance buthave asimple, thoroughly practical, and sturdy construction.

The handie of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawingswherein-- Figure 1 is a central vertical section therethrough showingthe same applied to the rim of a steering wheel;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a top view of Fig. 1. l

The same referencenumerals are applied to corresponding partsthroughoutthe views.

The handle shown is the left hand one of a pair, it being preferable touse two handles,

either in diametrically opposed relation on the rim of the steeringwheel, or nearly so, depending on the preference of the driver,although, of course, some might prefer to have only one handle disposedin a mid position. The rim 1() of the steering whe-el appears in sectionand a portion of one spoke 11 appears in elevation in Fig. 1. The handlecomprises a base 12 suitably cast to iit over the top and `on the insideof the rim of the wheel as shown, the top portion 18 being elongated, asbest appears in Fig. 3, and flattened on top to provide an ampie handrest about the base of the knob or grip 14 of the handle. Thus, thedriver does not have to keep a tense grip on the knob 1X1, which wouldbe tiring, but while holding the knob can rest the side of his hand onthe broad, flat hand rest. A rest of this kind is found to beL quite aluxury,A

particularly on a long, steady drive. This handle, therefoiie., inavoiding the necessity for the driver having to hold his wrists in anunnatural position, is not objectionable as are most, if not all, of thedevices of a similar kind provided in the past in making it a tediousandtiresome proposition by necessitating a lconstant close grip thereon.

The base 12 has a hollow post 15 preferably cast integral therewith.smooth cylindrical exterior.l but the borey `thereof has thenon-cylindrical form, as appears in Fig. 2, providing a vertically eX-tending guideway 16 on the inside of the post for a purpose which willsoon appear. The upper end of the post is counter-bored, as representedat 1'?, to receive the reduced cylindrical portion of a cap 18. Theannular flange 19 of said cap projects about the upper end of the postto retain a sleeve 20, together with washers 21 and 22, of leather orother equivalent material. The sleeve 2O is eX- ternally threaded, asshown at 23, and is arranged to have the internally threaded end of thesleeve insert 2li of the knob 14C make threaded connection therewith.'The knob 14 is preferably made of bakelite or other molded materialwith the metallic sleeveinsert cemented or molded therein. A bolt 25entered through an eccentric hole 26 in the cap 18threads in a draw nut27 slidably received The latter has a,V

:a1 handles meant exposing nis.

inside the post 15. A longitudinal flange 28 formed on the nut 27 entersthe guideway 16. The upper end of this flange is cut away to form a hookfor reception of a cross-pin 29 mounted in the bifurcated and looped endof a flexible steel band 30. The loop on the end of the band is renderedextremely strong, suitably by welding the end thereof in place. The bandhas a plurality of holes 31 provided in the other end thereof throughwhich a like number of nibs 32, suitably cast integral with the base 12,are arranged to be entered and the ends thereof riveted to permanentlysecure the band 30 to the base 12. y

In the application of the handle of my invention to the rim of asteering wheel, the base 12 is placed in approximately the desiredposition on the rim y andthe band 30 is passed around the rim vandhooked onto the flange 28 of the draw nut 27, which is then sli ined uinto the lower end of the l P bore of the post 15. Then the sleeve 2Oand Washers 21 and 22 are assembled on the post following which the cap18 is placed on the upper end thereof. The bolt 25 is then insertedthrough the hole 26 and threaded into the nut 27 and tightened with awrench or pliers until the band 8O is drawn up tight enough to make thepost absolutely rigid. After that, the knob let can be slipped over theoutside of the sleeve 20 and threaded in place to complete the assembly.Obviously, the knOlO ll: is fairly free to turn. Thewash- `ers 21k and22 are arranged to be slightly i Compressed in the assembling of thehanc le so that there will be no end play which might possibly meanrattling. Y It will be evident that it" is simply a. matter of providingthe band 30y of the proper length to make the handle fit any sizedsteering wheel. There is enough movement of the draw nut 27 allowed forinside the post 15 for a considerable range of sizes and if, perchance,an extremely small cross-section has to be fitted I contemplate using afiller block inserted between the rim and the band. That, however, willnot be found necessary except only in. extremocases. Obviously, the band30 when drawn up will conform itself to the shape of the wheel and whenthe bolt 25 is drawn tight there is absolutely no chance of the handleworking loose. This type of handle also has the advantage that if thedriver, after fastening the same in one position, finds that he wouldrather have the same moved to another position he can do so withoutexposing a marred spot on the wheel the attachment of the handlepositively will not mar the wheel. This fact is, of course, ofconsiderable importance from the standpoint that a car owner, whenselling or exehanghis car, will usually want to remove the handlestoattach them to the steering wheel of his new car, and if the removal ofthe l n the steering could not very well cles are not tensed the leastbit. In making a turn there is none of that noticeable awkwardnessoccasioned by having to shift the position of both hands several times;the driver simply swings the wheel by means of either knob, using itsomewhat like a crank handle. Vlhere the wheel is swung through morethan a. complete turn the driver simply shifts the knob he is movingfrom one hand to the other. The fact that the knob can be operated likea crank handle is of particular advantage in parking or backing the ear,where the wheel frequently has to be turned back and forth repeatedly tomaneuver the car into the exact position desired.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a clear understandingof my inv ration. The appended claims have beendrawn with a view tocovering not only the specific construction herein illustrated anddescribed, but also such variations as anyone skilled in the art mightdevise especially after this disclosure.

I claim:

1. An attachable handle for a steering wheel or the like comprising abase arranged to be set on the rim or other part of the wheel, a postprojecting from said base, a flexible element fastened at one end to thebase and passed around the rim for the purpose of fastening the basethereto, means adjustable lengthwise of the post and having connectionwith the other end of said flexible element whereby to place the laterunder tension to clamp the base to the rim, and a knob fitting over thepost and concealing' said means. i

2. An attachable handle for a steering wheel or the like comprising abase arranged to be set on the rim of the wheel, said base having ahollow post rising therefrom, a flexible band fastened at one en d tothe base and passed around the rim for the purpose of fastening the basethereto, means in the post and adjustable endwise of the latter havingconnection with the other end of the band and arranged to place the sameunder tension to clamp the base to the rim, and a knob mounted on thepost.

3. An attachable handle for a steering wheel or the like comprising abase arranged to be set on the rim of the wheel, said base having ahollow post rising therefrom, a flexible band fastened at one end to thebase and passed around the rim for the purpose of fastening the basethereto, a draw nut slidably received in the post and having connee' ISOLes-1,5m'

tion with the other end of said band, a boltA Wheel or the likecomprising a base arranged to be set on the rim of the wheel, said basehaving a hollow post rising therefrom, a

flexible band fastened at one end to the base and passed around the rimfor the purpose of fastening the base thereto, a sleeve fitting over thepost and free to turn thereon, a cap fitting on top of the post servingto hold the sleeve in place, a bolt passed through a hole provided insaid cap and extending inside the post, a draw nut having said boltthreading therein and having connection with the other end of said bandwhereby in the tightening of said bolt the band is placed under tensionto clamp the base to the rim, and a knob fitting ,over the aforesaidsleeve and detachably secured thereto.

5. A structure as set forth in claim i wherein the bolt hole in said capis eccentric relative to the cap and post whereby to dispose the bolt atone side of the bore of said post, and wherein said nut has a projectionon the other side thereof having connection with ,the end of said band.y

6. A structure as set forth in claim 4c including a washer of leather orequivalent material fitting over the post and having engagement with oneend of said sleeve, said washer being arranged in the tightening of saidbolt to be placed under slight compression and serving thereby to holdthe sleeve against end play While permitting the turning thereof.

7. A structure as sct forth in claim 4 including a pair of washers ofleather or equivalent material fitting over the post and engaged by theopposite ends of said sleeve,

said washers being arranged in the tightening of said bolt to beslightly compressed to hold the sleeve against end play while per-Emitting the turning thereof.

8. An attachable handle for a steering wheel comprising a base arrangedto fit over the top and inside of the rim of steering wheel, a hollowpost projecting therefrom, a fiexible band fastened at one end to thebase on the inner side of the top portion thereof and arranged to bepassed around the outside of the rim and under the same and up over theinside of said rim i to said post, a draw nut slidably but non-rotatablyreceived in said post having a quickly attachable connectior` with thefree end of said band, a bolt or screw mounted in said post so as to beheld against endwise movement at least in one direction and threading insaid nut, the same being arranged to be tightened whereby to move saidnut and place the band under tension to nase, said element clamp thebase to the rim, and a knob mounted on said post.

9. A structure as set forth in claim 8 including a sleeve rotatablymounted on the post but held against endwise movement relative thereto,said sleeve having the knob arranged to slip over the same and befastened thereto whereby to permit turning of the knob relative to thepost.

10. A structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein the draw. nut has avertically extending flange provided thereon, said flange beingconformed to provide a hook, and wherein the end of said band isbifurcated to .receive said flange and formed with a loop on the endthereof having a cross-pin mounted therein to fit on the hook. y

l1. An attachable handle for a steering wheel comprising a base arrangedto fit over the top and inside of the rim of a steering wheel, yahollowgpost projecting therefrom, a flexible band fastened at one end tothe base on the inner side of the top portion thereof and arranged to bepassed around the outside of the, rim and under the same and up over theinside of said rim into said post, a draw nut slidably received in saidpost having a vertical flange arranged to have a quickly attachableconnection with the free end of said band, a bolt or screw mounted insaid post so as to be held against endwise movement at least in onedirection and threading in said nut, the same being arranged to betightened whereby to move said nut and place the band under tension toclamp the base to the rim, and a knob mounted on said post, the saidpost having a vertically extending guideway wherein the edge of saidfiange is fslidably received.

12. A structure as set forth in claim S wherein the base has a pluralityof nibs formed integral therewith, the end of the band arranged to beattached to saidbase h aving holes provided therein for the entrytherethrough of said nibs, the ends of the nibs being upset topermanently secure the band to the base without the use of rivets orother means of fastening. l y

13. A device of theicharacter described, comprising a base` arranged tobe set on the rim or other part ofa steering wheel and formed so as toengage the same on two ad- Ajacent sides, a flexible element permanentlyfastened at one end to the base and extending around the rest of the rimnot covered by the 1 when placed under tension being adapted to conformitself to the crosssection of the rim so as to get a good hold thereon,means carried by the base and having detach able connection with theother end of said flexible element for placing the same under tension toclamp the base to the rim, and a knob carried on the base.

lt.V An attachable handle for a steering wheel or the like comprisin g abase arranged tolbe set on the rimor other'part of the wheel, said basehaving a hollow post rising therefrom, a flexible band fastened at oneend to the base and passed around therim' for the purpose of fasteningtheba'se thereto, means in the post and operable from t-he upper endVthereof having connection with the free end of the band to place thesame under tension to clamp the base to the rim, a sleeve svviveled onthe post and held against removal therefrom by vendwise movement`relative thereto, and a. knob litting over the post andV down over thesleeve, the sleeve having an externally threaded portion, and the knobhaving an internally threaded portion for threaded engagement with theexternally threaded portion of the sleeve, the knob When applied to thesleeve serving to conceal the means in the post and' prevent access tothe upper end of the post for operation of said means.

l'. An at-tachable handle for a steering wheel or the likeconiprising abase-arranged to be set on the rim or other part of the wheel, said basehaving a hol-low post rising there-from', arliexible band fastened atone end to the base and passed around the rim for the purpose offastening the base thereto, means in the post and operable from theupper end thereof having connection with the free end of the band toplace the saine under tension to clam-p the base tev the rim,`

and a knob fitting overthe post serving' to conceal saidv means andprevent access to the upper end of said post for operation of Caidmeans, said knob being suitably held against removal from the post.

1G. A device of the character described comprising a base arranged to beattached to the rim or other part of a steering Wheel on the topthereof, the base having the top thereof formed to provide an elongatedsu'ostantiallj7 fiat hand rest for substantially the full length of thefleshy part of theV side of the drivers hand, and a knob havingl aballshaped enlarged upper end and a reduced loiverend, said knob risingfrom thev base from one side of the hand rest portion at a pointapproximately midway of the ends of the latter so that the personresting t-he'side of his hand on the hand rest has the balilshapedenlarged upper end of the knob fitting in the liollou7 of the Vpalm ofhis hand for ease in holding said'knob and operating the same. f

17. A device of the character described comprising a base portionarranged to be set on the riin or other part of a steering W ieel, ahandle portion projecting from the base portion, a flexible elementfastened at one end to the base portion andv arranged to bepassed aroundthe rim or other part of the Wheel and extended to the handle portion,and means connected With the latter end of said element and. arranged toadjust the same lengthwise of the handle portion to place the same undertension and clamp-the base portion to the Wheel.

18. A handle forattaehmentfto a steering Wheel or the like, cemprisingabase having a horizontal portion arranged tofit on the part of the Wheellit on the adjacent part of the wheel,

and through the bifurcated portionv into the' hollow poet, and means insaid vpost for placing the element under tension Whereb1 to clamp thebase to the Wheel, the said post constituting part of a handle by meansof which the Wheel is arranged to be operated.

19. A handle for attachment to a steering Wheel or the like, comprisinga base arranged to be set on the rim or other part of the Wheel andhaving a post projecting therefrom, a flexible element fastened at oneend to the base and arranged to be passsed around the rim for thepurpose of fastening the base thereto, the i'ree end of said elementbeing arranged to be extended to the post, and means onthepost forplacing the yelement under tension whereby to-clainp the base to theWheel, the said post constituting part of a handle by means of which theWheel is arranged to be operated.

ln Wit-ness of the foregoing I aflix my signature.

MANLY H. SHIPLEY.

